Rumors are rife in Rome that the Vatican may further restrict the traditional Latin Mass, perhaps even banning diocesan priests from ever celebrating the older form of the Mass with their people. Religious institutes that have been founded to celebrate the traditional Mass will most likely continue enjoying that privilege, but such a ban would be a bit merciless for my parish. The Archbishop asked my predecessor to offer the more ancient forms of Catholic worship, and over the last 12 years Star of the Sea folks have become quite edified by the riches of the 1962 missal. What may this mean for my community? First, it must be said that the good Lord will always provide a means for us to worship Him as the Father desires, “in spirit and in truth.” We must strengthen our faith in His providence as the Church undergoes persecution from without and perfidy from within. A Latin Mass ban would be most imprudent and harmful to many believers. But if it were to happen, we must accept such a restriction as a penance rather than in any way lose our faith in Christ and His Church. The Body of Christ was torn apart on the Cross, and throughout history His Mystical Body, the Church, has and will be torn apart, but never destroyed.
On a practical level, several possibilities remain even if the TLM is completely banned for diocesan parishes. First, priest and people can celebrate Mass from the 1970 missal with utmost reverence, with the ordinary parts and Eucharistic Prayer in Latin, even chanting the readings in the sacred language of the Church. We should be able to continue praying the “prayers at the foot” before Mass and the Last Gospel after Mass, along with the Leonine prayers. Another possibility would be to seek permission to celebrate Mass in the “Anglican usage,” which is essentially an English translation of the traditional Mass. A third solution would be to dedicate at least one parish in every major demographic to a religious institute with permission to celebrate the older usage (e.g., the Fraternity of St. Peter or the Institute of Christ King).
One thing is certain: we should never doubt the providence of God, who will surely provide a way for us to worship Him with due reverence. We may lose a certain beauty of liturgical form, and that would be a shame. But it need not restrict our love for God, nor our heartfelt worship. Some, who are more attached to the form of worship than the object of worship, may lose their faith if the traditional Mass is abolished. They may stop going to Mass, or they may lose their faith in Christ’s Church. May that never happen to anyone in my parish! Liturgical beauty is a gift, but we must be clear that even the most splendid liturgy is only a means, not an end. The end is union with God, and as hard as it is, we must continue to worship him in spirit and in truth. If St. Maximilian Kolbe could offer Mass in Auschwitz without vestments or books, and if Cardinal Francis Van Thuan could offer Mass in solitary confinement, putting a drop of wine into his hand for a chalice, and if Japanese Catholics could maintain their faith for 200 years without the Eucharist at all, then we can offer Mass in difficult circumstances as well. We don’t choose the times in which we live. We only choose how we live in the times we have been given.
On a practical level, several possibilities remain even if the TLM is completely banned for diocesan parishes. First, priest and people can celebrate Mass from the 1970 missal with utmost reverence, with the ordinary parts and Eucharistic Prayer in Latin, even chanting the readings in the sacred language of the Church. We should be able to continue praying the “prayers at the foot” before Mass and the Last Gospel after Mass, along with the Leonine prayers. Another possibility would be to seek permission to celebrate Mass in the “Anglican usage,” which is essentially an English translation of the traditional Mass. A third solution would be to dedicate at least one parish in every major demographic to a religious institute with permission to celebrate the older usage (e.g., the Fraternity of St. Peter or the Institute of Christ King).
One thing is certain: we should never doubt the providence of God, who will surely provide a way for us to worship Him with due reverence. We may lose a certain beauty of liturgical form, and that would be a shame. But it need not restrict our love for God, nor our heartfelt worship. Some, who are more attached to the form of worship than the object of worship, may lose their faith if the traditional Mass is abolished. They may stop going to Mass, or they may lose their faith in Christ’s Church. May that never happen to anyone in my parish! Liturgical beauty is a gift, but we must be clear that even the most splendid liturgy is only a means, not an end. The end is union with God, and as hard as it is, we must continue to worship him in spirit and in truth. If St. Maximilian Kolbe could offer Mass in Auschwitz without vestments or books, and if Cardinal Francis Van Thuan could offer Mass in solitary confinement, putting a drop of wine into his hand for a chalice, and if Japanese Catholics could maintain their faith for 200 years without the Eucharist at all, then we can offer Mass in difficult circumstances as well. We don’t choose the times in which we live. We only choose how we live in the times we have been given.
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